Zach Attack!

This is how I spend my Saturday nights…research.

In 1979 Dr. Vivienne Cass published a six stage model of homosexual identity formation.  The six stages are:

• Identity Confusion – In this stage, individuals begin to wonder if they may be homosexual. They may consider the possibility, or reject it. If they choose to consider the possibility, they will move to the second stage.
  
• Identity Comparison – Here, individuals may begin looking at others and comparing themselves to homosexuals and nonhomosexuals in the surrounding environment. At this point, individuals may make contact with another homosexual person.
  
• Identity Tolerance – Individuals are becoming increasingly committed to the homosexual identity and may seek out more and more homosexual contacts. The self-image is still one of merely “tolerating” the homosexuality, rather than embracing it.
  
• Identity Acceptance – At this point, a more positive view of homosexuality begins to develop. Individuals may feel they fit into the homosexual society. However, they will generally attempt to “pass” for heterosexual, and self-disclosure will be limited.
  
• Identity Pride – Individuals in this stage characteristically feel a great deal of pride about their homosexuality. They will identify strongly with other homosexuals and feel anger at the way society treats homosexuals as a whole. They are often very conspicuous in their sexuality.
  
• Identity Synthesis – Finally, the influence of positive nonhomosexuals helps individuals become aware that all heterosexuals are not bad. At this point, they may feel “settled in” to their identity, neither ashmed of it nor needing to “flaunt” it. (Cass, 1984).
  

Since publishing her work, supplemental studies have suggested that the process may not be as linear (and stages not as discrete) as first believed and that individuals may move between stages throughout the lifetime.  Also, critics have pointed out that a separate model of development may exist for lesbian identity formation.

I find this interesting for three reasons:

• It has implications for the population I choose to work with in counseling (my specialization is in GLBTQI issues)
• I went through those exact stages!
• I’m interested in other’s experiences.  So If you’re gay, you follow me, and you’re still reading, I’d be interested to know what you think!

(Disclaimer: I thought about changing all the “homosexual(s)” to “gay” to make it sound less clinical, but decided to keep the original wording in tact.  Note that the APA now discourages the use of “homosexual” as it may have a negative connotation)